This project helps to build a vibrant and diverse community of 1st generation Russian Speaking Jewish Refugee families to the United States and rekindle their Jewish identity, connect Teens through generations, and overall increase the health and well-being of this highly underserved community, especially, right after the COVID ease, when many families are left without employment and the ability to provide their children with proper educational and emotional care.
During COVID-19, this hard-to-reach and very underserved community became even more distant, than before. Since most of the 1st generation refugees worked in a small business environment, struggling to have proper food on their tables, and proper education for their children, many of them have been out of work since the first days, and yet, many weren't eligible or did not understand how to deal with the pandemic help and unemployment. That created even more stress on the families.
Jookender supports individuals through all stages of life, ensuring diversity and inclusion to create strong family bonds and offer opportunities for members of various backgrounds and faiths. The camp will bring families together, help them to rekindle their Jewish identity, share valuable experiences, and gain the skills necessary to start rebuilding their future in the post-COVID times. Our educational and mental workshops provided during the camp will allow people to rethink their path.
We provide not only hope, but many opportunities to create better ways of living and drive people to their ultimate goals. By participating in the camp, families agree to become a part of the community and start building this community on its own. We provide various affordable learning programs during the year and practically quadruple the results of the camp in the during the year participation. People who went once through the camp will become a more engaged donors in the future.
This project has provided additional documentation in a PDF file (projdoc.pdf).
